Prayer Allahuma innaka afuwun tuhibbul afwa fa’fu annee (translation: ‘Oh Allah, you’re the eraser of sins and you love forgiveness. So please efface my sins’). This was the prayer that the Prophet (PBUH) told Aisha (RA) to recite when she asked him. All the sahaba (RA) followed suit and prayed this duaa over the last 10 days of Ramadan which are deemed to be the holiest.

Imaan Newsletter Summer 2009

Ramadan Karim from Imaan!

Imaan hopes that members are working through the holy month of Ramadan with its abundant opportunities to enrich our lives with the light of Islam. We are delighted to report that some of our sisters and brothers have gone on Umrah during this holy month. We also hope that Allah (SWT) accepts their sacrifice and prayers, and blesses with their safe return when they might be able to tell us about their experience. Ameen. For those of us in less sunnier climes, here in Britain, Imaan is hosting a series of iftaar events in and Manchester throughout Ramadan. Please keep a lookout for dates and times on theweb site: www.imaan.org.uk It would be great to share our experiences as we break fast together. There will also be some group visits to the Soho Mosque for greater spiritual enrichment.

Beyond fasting and praying we must all remain vigilant of opportunities to do good locally as well as further-a-field. May Allah (SWT) give us the foresight and opportunity to give support to others less fortunate all year round. Ameen.

Reflecting on the past year, Imaan has made the most of the past year and as our reputation grows, alhamdulilah, from our participation in activities such as UK Black Pride, university visits, as well as community events, so does the involvement of our members and potential members. In particular, our welfare phone line has been buzzing with activity and Yusef, Imaan’s Secretary, has done a sterling job of giving one-to-one guidance and support. Email [email protected] for details. We have also supported a number of Black and Asian, Muslim LGBT people from around the world to successfully apply for asylum in Britain because their home country has become unsafe for them. We are working to establish a compact with the Home Office to recognise Imaan in supporting LGBT Muslims which will give our evidence more weight at hearings.

As the chair person of Imaan it has also been extremely rewarding for me. Clearly, when volunteering to take forward an ambitious agenda for a small organisation it is necessary to do so with enthusiasm because there are many good ideas that require a great deal of energy and commitment. Change isn’t always easy to implement but it is needed if we’re not to stagnate. I’m proud to have helped Imaan through a period where funding for our work has been hard to come by, but still, with the grace of Allah (SWT), we have managed to reflect a number of the needs and aspirations of our diverse members.

In particular, this year we achieved much to be proud of our welfare helpline, regular newsletters packed full of information about activities and ways for members to engage; dinners and socials; iftaars and spiritual events, as well as a prominent presence at UK Black Pride, trade union events and the Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Our high profile within newspapers and on TV – notably through the gay Muslim character on Eastenders which Imaan helped develop – and our participation in anti-racist and anti-fascist activities across Britain to stop the growth of the fascist BNP, together with our dialogue with Muslim and inter- faith LGBT groups and statutory organisations like the government, police, local councils and students’ unions have all led to us being nominated for a number of awards.

However, none of this is possible without the effort of everyone who volunteers to keep Imaan going. All of us who understand the need to take part and to help, no matter how modest our contribution, is helping to provide a vital service. As a voluntary organisation with no external funding – a situation we are trying to resolve – Imaan is entirely dependent on the support of its members. If you are able to contribute a donation towards our work, or volunteer some time to actively contribute to our collective goals, then please email: [email protected] for details. Every gesture of support is welcome.

Looking ahead to the autumn, Imaan is electing our new Trustees after which we will be hosting our Annual General Meeting on Friday 12 October from 6-8pm in central London. Insh’Allah. If you would like to attend please register your interest by emailing: [email protected] Remember, this is your event, where you get to meet the Trustees, hold us accountable, ratify the election of the new Trustees and develop your own ideas and suggestions, particularly around workshops, social activities and more in the year ahead. Please do join us! Imaan will also be arranging an Eid ul Fitr celebration to mark the end of Ramadan too.

Imaan is also pleased to have supported Stonewall to produce new guidance on ‘Religion and Sexuality – Working Together’. This practical guidance for employers looks at how to manage real and perceived tensions between sexual orientation and religion in the workplace and provides solutions. The research is timely as we build stronger links with the wider Muslim community and faith-based LGBT groups, and a recent YouGov poll finding people of faith in Britain are no more likely to be prejudiced against lesbian and gay people than anyone else. Imaan’s Treasurer, Lina Mughal, who is also a law student, is looking to run some information workshops on challenging homophobia in the workplace in October.

Before I sign off this summer update I would like to remind everyone that this has been a rewarding year for all members of the Imaan Board of Trustees: Lina (treasurer), Tawseef (events officer), Yusef (secretary) and myself (chair), as well as our dedicated team of volunteers, notably Fiez and Royston among others who all deserve our dua’as. I hope that you have gained as much from our contributions as we have from yours. If we have ever given cause to upset you, we apologise, and hope that you will remember us all in your dua’as and give us the taqwa to continue serving you.

Wasalam,

Pav Akhtar Chair, Imaan

Stand for Imaan’s Board of Trustees, 2009–10

As you will also know, Imaan is a small, voluntary organisation without any statutory funding. Alhamdulilah though through the sheer hard work and dedication of Imaan members we have completed yet another successful year of delivering services and representation to our members, not least a meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) tomorrow! In the year ahead Imaan is well placed to build on the LGBT, race and faith agenda in Britain. To ensure that we continue delivering on our members’ priorities we must elect a Board of Trustees. The current Imaan Board of Trustees met over the past week to agree an elections schedule for the four available posts which are: chairperson, secretary, treasurer and events officer.

In line with Imaan’s standing orders (attached) and constitution, the Imaan Trustees have confirmed eligibility to stand for these posts is open LGBT Muslim people, who have attended an Imaan conference, three Imaan meetings since 2006, and who have been nominated by a fellow LGBT Muslim member of Imaan.

Nominations are now open so, by agreement with the Imaan Board of Trustees, please contact Pav Akhtar, the current chair of Imaan by email: [email protected] to arrange a discussion about what the different roles entail and to receive your copy of the application form which must be returned by 5pm on 26 September 2009 . Completed nomination forms should be emailed to Denis Fernando from the Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism who will, by the agreement of the Imaan Board of Trustees, act as the independent Returning Officer and scrutineer for the elections. [email protected] will. All eligible members of Imaan will be invited to vote through a secret electronic ballot which will take place for contested posts between 9am on 3 October until 5pm on 9 October . The results will be announced at our AGM which will be held from 6-8pm on Monday 12 October 2009 in Victoria, central London.

Imaan AGM 2009

If you would like to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) then please register your interest by emailing: [email protected] Remember, this is your event, where you get to meet the current Trustees: Lina, Pav, Tawseef and Yusef, to hold us accountable, review the finances of the organisation and develop ideas and suggestions, particularly around workshops, social activities and more in the year ahead. Please do join us! Imaan will also be arranging an Eid ul Fitr celebration to mark the end of Ramadan too. More details of this will follow from Tawseef, Imaan’s Event’s Officer.

Imaan Celebrates UK Black Pride August 2009

Imaan was proud to support UK Black Pride – the leading celebration of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American LGBT people in Britain – which returned to Regents Park, in central London, on Saturday 15 August 2009 for its fourth annual event. The headline act this year was the British queen of soul: Beverley Knight!

Led by Imaan trustees Lina, Pav, and Yusef, we encouraged all members and partners to attend UK Black Pride because it is the biggest Black LGBT event in Britain. It has grown from strength to strength because it continues to have the confidence, respect and support of the community, our friends and families. UK Black Pride is the only Black LGBT Pride event to be genuinely designed, delivered and led by the full diversity of the Black LGBT community, and continues to ensure the principle of ‘Pride before Profit’ which guarantees an inclusive event for all.

These principles have won UK Black Pride support from a cross-section of society, including Members of Parliament, trade unions; Black, LGBT and faith community groups, providers of public services like the police and primary care trusts, as well as young people, students and artists.

Needless to say, Imaan had a stall that was well received and we ran a workshop, alongside the Metropolitan Community Church, on ‘No God in Gay?’ which exploried issues of faith and sexuality within Islam and Christianity.

Women Want Greater Equality at Pride

New research has found that women demand greater equality in Pride activities. Gingerbeer.co.uk a women’s network thought it was time to conduct a survey to find out what the large community of lesbian and bisexual women actually wanted from Pride, what they got out of it, and more importantly, what they thought it was lacking?

Notable findings included: 50% of respondents wanted more toilets; 89% thought a women's area was necessary; 75% would be more likely to attend Pride if there was a women's area

The extensive report identified many ideas that it is hoped Pride organisers will take on board to make Pride a more women positive event.

Lenna Cumberbatch who led the research said: “The survey demonstrates there are a lot of people out there willing to give their opinion of Pride, they need only be asked. The issues that women face are indicative of the issues faced by other marginalised communities and hopefully this will open the door to a comprehensive review of what Pride has to offer the community at large.”

Lenna added, "The consensus view is that Pride is for males of Caucasian ethnicity. It is not really promoted for people of all minorities. Women have stated plainly why they don't attend Pride. We hope Pride London is listening."

Imaan Welfare Supporting LGBT Muslims Seeking Asylum

Despite compelling evidence from human rights agencies that lesbian and gay Muslim refugees from Africa, Asian, the Caribbean and Middle East suffer violence or sexual abuse in their home countries, many continue to be declared "failed" asylum seekers. They are then scheduled for deportation from Britain by the Home Office.

A serious lack of understanding of the widespread socio-political and cultural practises, frequently in the name of religion, is blighting the fairness with which many cases of LGBT Muslims seeking asylum are heard. In spite of this institutional bigotry, Imaan’s welfare service has successfully intervened to support over 20 asylum seeking applicants in their cases. The LGBT colleagues Imaan has supported have come from: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Turkey, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

With Imaan’s support these Muslim LGBT people have now completed the asylum process and have had their status positively affirmed, changing lives for the better.

Imaan has regularly spoken out about the need for more resources and better support for LGBT Muslim asylum seekers. Yusef Gojikan, Imaan’s secretary, said: “My day-to-day work with asylum seekers means I hear first hand the shocking encounters of homophobic abuse and inhumane conditions inside Britain’s asylum detention centres. The Home office and other immigration departments fare no better.”

“Many asylum seekers are frightened, not least because many have only narrowly escaped death themselves or have seen their partners murdered. Many of these people are vulnerable and often in need of specialist case because of the extreme trauma they have suffered. What they face instead in Britain is open bigotry and a ‘system’ that brands them a ‘liar’ or a ‘scrounger’.

Yusef added: “Imaan is lobbying the government and health service providers, as well as the criminal justice system to adopt a more humane approach to LGBT asylum seekers, with some effect. However, we are also looking for new volunteers to assist with our work with.”

If you want to donate money to help support Imaan’s free welfare phoneline, or to volunteer as an asylum supporter, please email Yusef on: [email protected] for further information.

Religion and Sexuality – Working Together?

Stonewall has launched a new practical guidance for employers called ‘Working Together’ on managing perceived tensions between sexual orientation and religion in the workplace. Based on practical solutions already developed among the 470 major employers now working with the charity, the guide provides essential advice on how to avoid conflicts which can arise at work.

Stonewall’s guidance, funded by the Equality & Human Rights Commission, examines the legal position and need for organisational clarity. Detailed case studies from a range of sectors demonstrate how employers can accommodate the needs of both sides in any disagreement, alongside lessons learned from each case.

‘We recognise that there are still some tensions between people of faith and the 1.7 million gay people in the British workplace,’ said Stonewall’s chief exec, Ben Summerskill. ‘By preparing for difficult situations, employers can manage potential conflicts with confidence.’

‘While the 500 employers who are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme shows that such conflicts are rare, employers also tell us that they’re less confident about preventing and responding to incidents than other forms of dispute,’ added Summerskill.

A recent YouGov poll found that people of faith in Britain are no more likely to be prejudiced against lesbian and gay people than anyone else. Happily, many people of faith don’t have any problem working, living, socialising or praying with LGB people. Imaan’s Treasurer, Lina Mughal, a law student said: “Workplace discrimination against LGB people became unlawful in Britain in December 2003. This guide will help with the small minority who do.’

‘Religion and Sexual Orientation – How to manage relations in the workplace’ can be downloaded from http://www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace/3442.asp

Religion, Youth and Sexuality: Call for Participants in a Multi-faith Exploration

A team of academics in Nottingham want to inform Imaan members about a new research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Council. The researchers are looking for people to complete an on-line questionnaire which explores young people’s religious faith and sexuality. Specifically, the project focuses on young people who are aged 18 to 25, living in Britain, and who define themselves as either: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or Sikh (or a combination of these).

Anyone aged between 18 and 25, who identifies with one of these faiths is eligible to take part, regardless of their gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. The online questionnaire is available on the web site http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sociology/rys www.nottingham.ac.uk/sociology/rys Electronic versions of the questionnaire are also available on request. The web site also contains basic information about the project, so please do visit!

The RYS Research Team is composed of: Andrew Yip (Uni of Nottingham), Michael Keenan (Nottingham Trent Uni); and Sarah-Jane Page (Uni of Nottingham). They can be contacted by email: [email protected] or phone: 0115 8232444

Nothing About Me Without Me – Trans Discussion Group

Galop are hosting a series of discussions to explore issues around transphobia, the availability (and lack of) of trans friendly services, and how the world you live in impacts upon your life.

The learning that is identified from what you say will help to shape how in the future Galop works with all trans people (incl. transgender, TV, TS, polygendered, FTM, MTF, Pre-Op, gender fluid, Post-op, androgyne) in the future, to campaign for change and influence other organisations to better meet trans peoples’ needs. We want you to tell us what you think.

There will be a mixture of themed sessions (open to all trans spectrum people) and closed sessions aimed at specific groups of trans spectrum people (youth, BME, asylum seekers and refugees). Galop have chosen to split the discussions in this way because they want to ensure safe spaces for people who identify in certain ways to participate in the discussions, and to further explore the differences (in terms of experiences and therefore needs) amongst trans spectrum people.

Galop will reimburse participants for their time with a £20 gift voucher and can pay travel expenses within London travel zones. For more information or to book your place contact: Ben Gooch, Galop’s Trans Strategic Development Worker on: 020 7704 6767 or [email protected]

Including Older LGBT People

An Imaan member is working with Age Concern Tower Hamlets and Redbridge to hold two social events for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people aged over 50 who live, work or socialise in Tower Hamlets or Redbridge.

If you’re an Imaan member or friend and identify as LGBT, are aged over 50 and are in Tower Hamlets or Redbridge area, then you are invited to attend one of the events.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people in your local area; have a drink and a bite to eat; tell us your experiences of being LGBT in the local area; discuss ideas for an older LGBT people’s network and find out about the groups and services available to you

For more information please email: [email protected] or call: 020 7791 2855

Gay Surrey Outreach

The charity ‘Gay Surrey’ which is committed to helping the LGBT community within Surrey are hosting a number of events and undertaking projects which focus on the LGBT community, including hate crime awareness, youth projects, an ‘educate not segregate’ campaign and more.

Another project being lead by Jamie at Gay Surrey is a minority outreach project which will engage and directly support members of the LGBT Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Black and Asian communities within Surrey.

Jamie recognises this is a sensitive issue so would welcome input, advice and support from Imaan members because there are no dedicated groups for the LGBT religious Muslim community in the Surrey area.

If you would be willing to engage in dialogue with Gay Surrey, to support each others’ efforts or partnership opportunities, please take a look at their web site: www.gaysurrey.org and contact Jamie, the project director at Gay Surrey at: [email protected]

Do You Want to Become a Councillor?

The representation of Black and minority ethnic (BAME) women at every level of governance from the Houses of Parliament to local government is very low. Of the 646 MPs in Westminster, only two are BAME women and out of 20,000 councillors, 149 are BAME women, representing less than 1% of all councillors.

Imaan is supporting Operation Black Vote (OBV) in partnership with the Government Equalities Office to promote the first national BAME Women Councillor Shadowing Scheme which aims to address the deficit of BAME women councillors, and to ensure BAME communities engage with the council in all areas and at all levels of local governance.

OBV are looking for 50 participants to shadow high level councillors for six days over six months. The cross-party initiative will focus on giving participants first hand knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of councillors, serving officers and an insight into the local authority’s systems and procedures. The aim is that the leadership programme will equip participants to become involved in community affairs. The scheme will also give Councillors the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of BAME communities. OBV view this process as essential to involving BAME communities in the wide scope of activities within the decision making process.

Please contact OBV to obtain a Councillor Shadowing Scheme application on: Tel: 0208 983 5471. Email: [email protected] or visit: www.obv.org.uk

Training to Tackle Numbers of HIV Infection

The HarbourSafe Program does peer mentoring for the Black and minority ethnic (BME) – men who have sex with men (MSM) community. They have been working with Imaan for a few months and wish to inform members about an upcoming training days for mentors at The Metro Centre's Vauxhall offices.

The programme looks to address the rising numbers of HIV infection within the BME - MSM community by pairing at risk individuals with trained peer mentors. Together they work through a series of nine structured modules to help individuals take ownership of their sexuality and the type of sex they are having.

Imaan really understands the need for such a program and would encourage anyone who feels they could benefit from this training to attend.

For further information or to refer anyone who may benefit from the HarbourSafe program directly please call Rory Goring, the HarbourSafe Coordinator on 07872 692301.

African MSM Sexual Health Conference

The African MSM (men who have sex with men) community in Britain has faced many challenges in the past and is still facing the same challenges. The new law preventing HIV treatment for “illegal” immigrants, the Home office stand on asylum and the high rate of HIV within the community are just a few of many issues and challenges the community is faced with.

There have been many seminars and conferences around these issues, but few have provided the needed solution or paved the way for possible solutions. Meanwhile, the HIV rate within the community is growing, so also the homelessness, homophobic attacks, and discrimination from the mainstream LGBT scenes and charities. Social integration is difficult and more and more African MSM are living a double life as a result of religious and societal prejudices.

The African MSM Sexual Health Conference is an opportunity to examine the different researches that have been conducted and also bring together service users with service providers. It is the brainchild of Newham PCT and the Naz Project London’s “Newham African MSM Sexual Health Project” and will take place at the Soho Health Centre, 1 Frith Street, London, W1D 3HZ

For more information on attending the conference please contact Adebisi Ademola Alimi, African MSM Sexual Health Worker at Naz Project, email: [email protected]

Imaan Proud to Help BBC Develop New Gay Muslim Character

Imaan is proud to have worked with the BBC to develop its newest character, a gay Muslim, in the popular, award-winning soap, Eastenders.

Like the character of Syed Masood, Muslim LGBT people are an integral part of the Muslim and British community. We are exposed to the same discriminatory experiences in education, employment, health and wider society that plague Muslims in Britain, in addition to the prejudices that LGBT people continue to endure.

Despite these challenges, Muslim LGBT people often lead healthy and fulfilling lives in which we proudly identify with both our faith and sexuality. Many of us undergo the tumultuous journey of reconciling our faith with our sexual orientation, largely because of the dominantly conservative scriptural interpretation of Islam combines with the homophobia that is rife in wider society.

Awareness and dialogue are an integral part of the process to countering the damaging effects of Islamophobia and racism within the LGBT community, as well as tackling homophobia in wider society and Muslim communities.

Chair of Imaan, Pav Akhtar, said: ”Big challenges for LGBT Muslims are the lack of visibility in mainstream media and the limited allocation of resources to raise awareness and understanding. That’s why Imaan supports the BBC’s attempt to sensitively develop a credible character who contends with the different facets of his identity. We need to have this figure among a popular and established Muslim family like the Masoods in such a successful soap because it brings to the fore the challenges and choices that confront the character, as well as those around him who have to overcome their own fears and prejudices as the storyline develops.”

Pav added, “The BBC must enable greater diversity on its flagship shows in terms of race, faith and sexuality. We need more Black, Asian, LGBT and other community groups positively and accurately reflected so that people from all backgrounds become the norm in mainstream media.”

Imaan Supports Fundraising for Film: 'Pictures of Zain'

Imaan is supporting one of our members make a short film this summer called, 'Pictures of Zain'.

Faryal’s 14-minute fictional drama centres round Tamana, a Pakistani mother, who embarks on a journey of self discovery after the death of her gay son. Along the way she confronts her own fears and prejudices and makes amends with his grieving lover.

The script has been very well received and Faryal is looking to direct a powerful and evocative film.

There is still an opening for a femal actor to play the role of Tamana – so if you think you can help, please get in touch with Faryal ASAP!

This is very much a community project and we must raise funds to make the film. Recently a fundraiser was organised for the film when a great line up of performers and DJs played Bollywood and Bhangra hits as well as live singers who performed during the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival! All money raised on the night went to the film's budget. If you couldn’t make the fundraising event but want to make a donation instead (no matter how small) you can do so here: Campfire Films, Natwest Bank, Sort Code: 60-80-05, A/C number: 59085347.

If you would like to be a sponsor of the film and get a credit please email Faryal: [email protected]

COMPETITION – Gay Icons at National Portrait Gallery

Gay Icons at the National Portrait Gallery is a new exhibition that explores gay social and cultural history through the unique personal insights of high profile gay figures, including Lord Waheed Alli, who selected their historical and modern icons.

The icons, who may or may not be gay, have all been important and have influenced their gay sensibilities or contributed to making them who they are today. They include artist David Hockney; writers Daphne du Maurier and Quentin Crisp; composers Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Benjamin Britten; musicians k.d. lang and Will Young; entertainers Ellen DeGeneres and Kenneth Williams; sports star Martina Navratilova and political activists Harvey Milk and Angela Mason.

Their inspirational stories are illustrated by over 60 photographic portraits including works by Andy Warhol, Snowdon and Cecil Beaton together with specially commissioned portraits of the selectors set in a striking exhibition design conceived by renowned theatre designer, Robert Jones.

The exhibition runs from 2 July to 18 October and Imaan has a number of tickets available for members who would like to attend. If you would like to be in with a chance of receiving a free ticket please email [email protected]

Opening hours are 10am – 6pm (daily) (on Thurs/Fri till 9pm). Tickets cost £5/£4. The roof-top Portrait Restaurant, with its stunning views over the London skyline is also open on these evenings for dinner until 22.00. To book call 020 7312 2483

Ethnic Minorities Coming Out Project

A new picture project has been launched to raise awareness about coming out among ethnic minorities.

The photographer, Sonalle, who is bisexual, told Imaan, “I know the difficulty of coming out in our communities. Families and friends often suffer due to narrow mindedness and this can lead to hurt or rejection of the person coming out. Education and raising awareness can help people be more open and understanding which can then help reduce the internal conflicts people may have about coming out.”

Sonalle wants to meet LGBT people who are at all stages of the coming out process, including those who haven't come out or who are thinking about coming out. The project will take an hour of your time and in return, you will receive a professional photo. Your identity can remain hidden if necessary. Sonalle works in digital so participants have complete control of the images chosen which will then be combined with text describing your coming out experience.

This work will raise awareness of the difficulties of coming to terms with sexuality within ethnic minority communities, including the effect of culture and tradition. This is an issue rarely addressed in our everyday society and even less in the visual arts.

Imaan members are invited to see Sonalle’s previous work at www.sonalle.com and if you’re interested in being photographed email her at [email protected] or call 07983 936873.

BBC 1XTRA Seeks Jamaican Heritage Interviewee

IXTRA news at the BBC will be airing a radio documentary about being young and gay in Jamaica. The documentary examines the rise of homophobic crime and examines the reasons behind homophobia on the Caribbean island.

As part of this the BBC are hoping to get a live guest into the studio, to give advice and to speak about their own experiences. Are you someone whose family heritage is originally from the Caribbean or someone who’s had negative responses from their families and friends when they decided to come out?

If so the BBC would like to chat to you. Please contact Danielle at BBC Radio 1xtra Planning by e-mail on: danielle.weekes@.co.uk

New Les-Bi-Trans Women’s Book from Lebanon

Bareed Mista3jil is a brave new book published by Meem – a support group in Lebanon for lesbian, bisexual and trans people in Beirut. The book is available in English and Arabic and is a collection of true stories from lesbian, bisexual and transgender women across Lebanon, with a 30-page introduction analysing general themes presented in the stories.

The book raises important questions about what sort of diversity exists in human sexuality, how bisexuals ‘come out’, what kind of discrimination lesbians face, how this affects self- esteem and sense of community. It also looks to what their relationships are with families, friends and each other, as well as people of different sexualities in dealing with religion and faith. Are the struggles to identify the same as non-heterosexuals or do people ‘just know’? And how has life for lesbians in Lebanon changed over the past 10 years?

This publication dispels some of the myths surrounding these questions and glimpses into the lives of otherwise invisible and silent Lebanese communities.

Bareed Mista3jil is available for sale in English. For more information email: [email protected] or visit: www.bareedmista3jil.com

India Moves to Decriminalise

The Indian government held talks on repealing the country's colonial-era laws on gay sex. Section 377 was enacted in 1860 under British rule, in line with oppressive anti-sodomy laws in England at the time. It punishes anyone who "voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal" by imprisonment and criminalises a whole range of sexual acts.

The law was challenged in the High Court in Delhi in 2008 and now India's Home and Health ministers have held meetings with the Law Minister to discuss its repeal. The challenge is not so straightforward though. While the health ministry has wanted to repeal the law, on the grounds that decriminalisation will help stop the spread of HIV, the home ministry maintains that gay sex is the product of "a perverse mind."

Health minister Anbumani Ramadoss first called for the repeal of Section 377 at the 17th International Conference on AIDS in Mexico City, where the director of the UN’s Development Programme on HIV/AIDS has also said the fight against the disease will be helped if homosexual acts are decriminalised.

Jeff O'Malley said infections in the Indian sub-continent, already 2.5 million, continue to rise: "Until we acknowledge these behaviours and work with people involved with these behaviours, we’re not going to halt and reverse the HIV epidemic. Countries which protect men who have sex with men…have double the rate of coverage of HIV prevention services, as much as 60%," he added.

Pakistan Court Orders Equal Benefits for Trans People

The Supreme Court in Islamabad has ordered that trans people should receive equal protection and support from the government.

Three judges, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, ruled in early July that financial support must be given to trans individuals through a worldwide relief and development organisation or income support programmes, and the Interior Ministry has been directed to ensure police provide protection to trans people from hate crimes.

Islamic jurist Dr Mohammad Aslam Khaki, who submitted the petition, took on the case after the arrest of several trans people in Taxila. He said that trans people, especially those from poor families, were often subject to oppression and harassment, and were forced to earn a living through begging and prostitution.

Dr Khaki added that trans people were often thrown out of their homes and cited the issue of identity cards showing female photos but male genders.

A trans woman known as Shazia told the court that while trans people from wealthy families could be educated and find jobs, those from poorer backgrounds are abused by society, police and criminal gangs. She added that she feared her appearance that day could result in her death.

The court ordered Dr Khaki to work with social sector to devise welfare programmes for trans people and asked provincial social welfare departments to find solutions to help lift individuals out of poverty.

Broken Rainbow Survey

Broken Rainbow and Eighteen & Under are producing a youth and LGBT youth domestic violence online survey that can be completed here: http://youth.questionpro.com

The aim is to improve services for young people, therefore the survey must be completed by respondents aged 18 to 25 years old. It will gather data on their experience and awareness of domestic violence. At the end of the questionnaire (10-15 min to complete it), respondents can chose to be entered into a FREE PRIZE DRAW and a chance to win an Apple iPod Shuffle 1GB or a pop up Quechua 2 Seconds Tent! Third prize is a £10 Amazon voucher.

This online survey is funded by Nationwide Foundation in partnership with the NUS. It will be active until the 30th of September only!

The survey will explore the following in the younger 18-25 year old population:

• If, and when domestic violence education was received eg, at school • the prevalence rate of domestic violence • the impact of the domestic violence • at what age respondents first experienced domestic violence • the extent to which identity is a factor in and affects the experience of domestic violence; (e.g. LGBT, ethnic minority, young person) • reporting of domestic violence • responses of agencies to reported incidents • gaps in service provision